Downsizing Tips for Older Adults

Downsizing Tips for Older Adults

According to seniorliving.org, “ Roughly 51% of retirees ages 50 and over move into smaller homes after retirement.” This process is called downsizing.

Are you ready to downsize and not sure where to start? Here are ideas to help you begin. First, make a plan, using the steps given below. This will help keep you on track.

1. Set aside TIME
   Know what size space you are moving into, and be realistic about the process. It takes time and energy to go through items, whether they are sentimental or not. The processing time depends on how quickly you can make decisions. On average, it will take a few weeks to a month to go through at home that is approximately 2500 sq. ft. that has been lived in for over 35 years.

   
   

2. Process the items room by room
   Go through each space in your house one by one and decide what is trash and what is to donate. Start with the smallest, easiest spaces first. Leave the hardest, most sentimental areas for last. Move in a clockwise direction in a room or space so you will see the progress as you go. As you process items, your decision-making speed will probably increase.

Decision-making can be exhausting, and you will learn your limits. If you notice that most things are going into the keep pile, take a break and come back to it a few hours later, or even the next day.

When you begin sorting and decluttering, start with a simple area, such as a small pantry or linen closet. Decide which items you truly love and which ones can be donated or trashed. Don’t keep the ugly dish towels out of guilt, because Cynthia bought them for you for Easter. You thanked her long ago for them and it’s OK to let them go!

If you’re having a hard time letting go of an item, take a picture of it, so you always have a memory of it. If you have multiples of something, such as six mixing bowls, do you really need to keep all six, or is one enough? Ask yourself if you’re keeping something because you feel like you should, or because you truly love that item? Ask yourself, “Does this item support me, or burden me?” Consider the minimalist idea of only keeping things in your space that you truly love and want to care for. The less items you have to care for, the easier it is to take care of your space.

Sentimental belongings can take time. I recently helped someone downsize who had had 3+ large shoe boxes of greeting cards from her husband from over 50 years of marriage. She sorted through them in a few hours, keeping only those that mattered most to her.

I know it’s not easy, but you have to start somewhere! If lack of motivation is holding you back, get support from a friend, family member or professional organizer.

3. Part with donations and junk
   After going through each room of your house, you will have created three piles of items: what to keep, what to donate/give away, and what to discard.

Chances are that your children and relatives don’t want to inherit your belongings. If you’ve heard family members say, “Oh I love that!“ ask them directly if they truly want the item; maybe they were just making conversation. Even if they like the object, they may not have space for it, or no longer need it.

Happily, many charities and organizations can put your belongings to good use! Your professional organizer can help find the best places for your donations. For instance, Colorado’s Furnishing Hope Junk Removal charges for pickup, but all housewares go to local families who need them, rather than the landfill!

4. Pack the remaining items for the move

   Friends and family may be able to help with packing and labeling; if not, professional movers and packing services are ready to assist you.

Downsizing can be a challenging task. However, with support from family, friends, or a professional organizer, and a solid plan, you can work through your home efficiently.